Lawrence, MO (January 21, 2026) – Two 17-year-olds sustained injuries on Tuesday morning following a collision involving a school bus on Route H, roughly two miles south of Mount Vernon in Lawrence County.
The incident occurred at approximately 8:28 a.m. on January 20. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop D, a 2023 Thomas school bus traveling southbound failed to stop and struck a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox that was already stopped in traffic. The force of the collision caused extensive damage to the Chevrolet, which was later towed from the scene by Biellier Wrecker Service. The school bus, which sustained minor damage, was able to be driven away.
Two teenage passengers on the bus, a 17-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy, both from Mount Vernon, were reported to have sustained injuries. Neither was wearing a safety device at the time of the impact. Emergency medical teams responded to the scene and transported both injured teens by ambulance to Cox Hospital in Monett for further care.
The bus was operated by a 74-year-old male driver, while the Chevrolet was driven by a 70-year-old woman, both also from Mount Vernon. Neither adult was reported injured, and both were confirmed to have been using safety restraints.
The cause of the accident remains under investigation, with officials reviewing the events that led to the school bus striking the stopped vehicle. Traffic was temporarily impacted as emergency services worked to assist those involved and remove the damaged vehicle from the roadway.
Our thoughts are with the injured students, and we hope for their swift and full recovery.
